Winter Skills Courses... When the snow falls in Snowdonia the mountains are transformed into a winter playground. Nothing can be more satisfying than gaining a snow covered summit under a crisp blue sky. To travel safely in these conditions a whole new set of skills and equipment are needed. Simple routes in summer can become treacherous under a covering of snow and ice - but don't let this put you off. Book on a winter hill skills course to learn the skills you need to enjoy the winter to its fullest. For some winter inspiration visit the Gallery page.

Course Information

Winter Hill Skills

This 2 day course will take you through all the skills and techniques you need to enjoy walking in the mountains in winter. We will cover walking techniques with and without crampons, kicking and cutting steps, ice axe arrest, winter navigation, equipment choice and avalanche awareness. If you wish to extend this course we can cover emergency rope work and take on some more challenging terrain.

Guided Winter Mountain Walks

If you want to focus less on learning skills and just enjoy a day out in the hills or maybe you want to summit a snow covered Snowdon then book in for a guided walk. Basic skills will be taught along the way.

Previous Experience needed

Ideally you
will have previous experience of summer hill walking and maybe some grade 1 scrambling. A decent level of fitness will also mean that you get the most from your course. No previous winter walking experience is needed.

Equipment

I will provide you a full kit list when you book on. The demands on kit are much higher in the winter than in summer so it is imperative that your kit is in good condition. I can provide crampons and ice axe but you will need to provide your own winter boot to which a crampon can be fitted - I can advise you on this.

Course Dates

I will be running winter skills courses and winter guided walks in Snowdonia during January and March. I don't advertise dates as the Welsh winter can be fickle at times. If you are interested in a course the best thing to do is email me and we get the ball rolling. If you book well in advance I can't guarantee good conditions but we can always focus on other related mountaineering skills or postpone to another date. For more info visit the booking page.

Course Prices

The cost of your course depends upon the number of people in your group and the instructor:student ratio. The daily rate per person for 1 instructor are listed below: